Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation to develop strategies for eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. The 13-member commission - including agency heads from transportation, public safety, health, and environmental departments - will create a statewide action plan, promote data transparency through a public safety portal, and advise state and local governments on equitable road safety improvements. It requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on progress, including traffic crash data and demographic information. The commission focuses on "safe system approach" strategies like roadway design, speed management, and expanding accessible transportation options for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "Bear Smart Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to fund the distribution of bear-proof garbage cans to residents. The fund will be financed by civil penalties from bear-feeding violations (e.g., $100-$500 fines) and state or federal grants. The DEP will prioritize distributing these cans in counties with large bear populations - Sussex, Warren, Morris, and Passaic - to reduce human-bear conflicts, with residents possibly paying a small fee. The program may partner with municipalities or waste companies to lower costs, while existing bear-feeding prohibitions remain in place except for specific exceptions like bird feeders under strict conditions.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides legal protection to firearm retailers in New Jersey who participate in state-sponsored suicide prevention training and distribute suicide prevention materials to customers. It requires the Attorney General to develop training on recognizing suicide risks and intervention strategies, and to provide materials advising customers on securing firearms during crises. Retailers who follow these steps in good faith cannot be sued for damages resulting from their participation, unless they acted with willful or reckless misconduct. The law aims to encourage retailers to support suicide prevention without fear of legal liability.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state grant program to help licensed firearms retailers in New Jersey provide temporary off-site storage for customers' locked firearms, primarily to support suicide prevention efforts. Retailers can apply for grants up to $5,000 to purchase storage units (like safes or vaults), and the program prohibits retailers from charging customers for this service. The bill appropriates $300,000 from the General Fund to fund these grants, with funds carried forward until depleted. It also requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing grant awards, program effectiveness, and unspent funds.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a dedicated fund called the Public Hospital Capital Fund to collect assessments from health service corporations reorganizing into mutual holding companies (e.g., Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey). The fund will finance capital improvement projects at public hospitals across New Jersey, with no more than 25% of the initial assessment spent in any single fiscal year. Unspent funds will carry over to future years, and the Legislature will determine how the money is allocated for hospital projects. The bill ensures these funds are exclusively used for hospital infrastructure upgrades, not other purposes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) of the Office of Administrative Law within the Department of State to enroll in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) instead of the current Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP). It mandates that ALJs currently enrolled in the DCRP be transferred to the Workers Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days of the bill's effective date, while those already in PERS will be moved into this specific part of the system. The bill also specifies that the unfunded liability for benefits provided by this transfer will be paid by appropriations from the State General Fund. This change makes PERS enrollment a condition of employment for ALJs, aligning their retirement system with that of Workers' Compensation Judges.
Maddy summarySJR 103 is a symbolic resolution declaring New Jersey a "Purple Heart State" to honor veterans and active-duty service members from New Jersey who have received the Purple Heart Medal. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded by the President to those wounded or killed in combat, and this resolution recognizes their sacrifices without creating new benefits or programs. It builds on New Jersey's existing connections to the national "Purple Heart Trail" (a network of roads and monuments honoring recipients), which includes locations in the state and stems from a 1992 convention held in Cherry Hill. The resolution takes effect immediately and serves as a formal state acknowledgment of these veterans' service.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey optometrists' scope of practice to include prescribing pharmaceutical agents (including controlled substances for eye conditions), administering immunizations for coronavirus, flu, and shingles (for patients 18+), and performing minor procedures like removing superficial foreign bodies, treating chalazions, and simple ophthalmologic treatments (e.g., trabeculoplasty) using topical anesthesia. It explicitly prohibits invasive eye surgery, orbital procedures, or general anesthesia. The law requires optometrists to report administered immunizations to the state's immunization registry and mandates they follow CDC guidelines for vaccine administration. This directly affects optometrists by broadening their clinical capabilities and patients by increasing access to certain eye care services within defined limits.
Maddy summaryS 3929 creates a Military and Veterans Affairs Oversight Board within New Jersey’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The board, composed of heads of veteran service organizations (like the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans), oversees all state programs, benefits, and services specifically for military members, veterans, and their families across all state agencies. Key provisions require state agencies to submit biannual reports on their programs and annual budget details to the board, which must analyze service effectiveness - including accessibility, healthcare, housing, and employment - and develop recommendations for improvements. The board will also produce annual reports for the Governor and Legislature, posted publicly, to address gaps in veteran support.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's bereavement leave provisions under the Family Leave Act (P.L.1989, c.261) and Temporary Disability Benefits Law (P.L.1948, c.110) to include leave for the death of a child, miscarriage, stillbirth, termination of pregnancy for medical reasons, unsuccessful adoption, and failed fertility treatments. Employees who meet eligibility requirements can take up to 21 days of leave for circumstances where they wouldn't otherwise qualify for leave, or up to 7 days for circumstances where they would otherwise qualify. The leave applies to employees who are biological parents, adoptive parents, or parents through a gestational carrier agreement, as well as their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners. This legislation specifically addresses bereavement needs not previously covered under existing leave provisions for these specific personal losses.